There’s a thought that members of the Dexter High School boys cross country team can’t help but allow to creep into their heads as they prepare for Saturday’s MHSAA Division 1 regional.

How would they fare if they were still running in Division 2?

The simple answer is, really well. Last season, Dexter finished as state runner-up in Division 2 and this year they haven’t missed a step despite a bump up in division.

“We tell the guys, there are no ‘what-ifs,’ ” said Dexter boys coach David Testa. “The reality is, this is what we’re looking at. It’s a new challenge, but the guys have proven all year that they’re up to meeting new challenges and ready to attack them.”

Indeed they have. The Dreadnaughts came flying out of the gate this fall, highlighted by a win in the 28-team Spartan Invitational on Sept. 18 in East Lansing. By the second week of coaches association state rankings, the newest guest to the Division 1 dance was the belle of the ball with a No. 2 ranking.

“We got off to a really good start early on,” said Testa. “In late September, we were plagued with the cold and flu bugs that went around.”

As a result, Dexter has dipped in the rankins - the Dreadnaughts are currently No. 8 -- but the results have remained stellar. Dexter cruised through the fall, racking up a half-dozen first-place invitational finishes. Its latest victory came in the form of a second straight Southeastern Conference White Division title last Thursday.

Since then Testa says the Dreadnaughts “have had some really great workouts” in preparation for Saturday’s regional, hosted by Huron at Willow Park’s Chestnut Grove.

“The hope is that that will carry over into the meet and everything comes together on the right day for us,” he said. The Dreadnaughts, who are the only state-ranked team in their regional, hope that day is Saturday.

“Our expectation is to race in a way we know we’re capable of,” Testa said. “Get back to the pack mentality that served us well at the beginning of the season; fine tune and race against the best when it really counts.”

REGIONAL PREVIEWS

This weekend, boys and girls cross country teams from across the state will attempt to qualify for the MHSAA State Finals held at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 6. The top three teams and any individuals placing in the top 20 automatically qualify. A fourth place team can automatically qualify if it has four individuals place in the top 20.

DIVISION 1 - Regional 5 (host: Huron) Where: Willow Metropark, Belleville. When: Saturday. Local teams: Huron, Skyline, Dexter. Boys Outlook: The No. 8-ranked Dexter squad is the front-runner. The Dreadnaughts are paced by Alexey Vermeulen and Taylor Neely, who hold the second- and third-best times in the regional (16:12.4 and 16:16.5). Huron, meanwhile, should earn a top-5 finish, led by Jacob Hingle-Rablovsky (16:41) and Akshay Jetli (16:42). Girls Outlook: No. 10 Salem and Livonia Churchill will be the stiffest competition for the local teams. Huron’s Annie-Norah Beveridge (18:04.5) has recorded the fastest invididual time in the regional, 17 seconds faster than the No. 2 runner. It will certainly be an upset if she doesn’t win the individual crown.

DIVISION 1 - Regional 4 (host: Woodhaven) Where: Lake Erie Metropark, Rockwood. When: Saturday. Local teams: Pioneer, Saline, Ypsilanti, Lincoln. Boys Outlook: Saline is the highest-ranked team (No. 3) and boasts the second-best individual time (Nicholas Renberg at 15:54.1) in the regional. In fact, the Hornets are the only ranked team, giving Saline “the favorite” status. Girls Outlook: Defending state champ Saline is the only ranked team (No. 6) in the field and is anchored by the regional’s leading runner, Alyssa Cummings (18:42.4). Another threat to win the individual title is Pioneer’s Katherine Hoevet, who trails only Cummings with the top time (18:56.9).

DIVISION 2 - Regional 13 (host: Vandercook Lake) Where: Ella Sharp Park, Jackson. When: Saturday. Local team: Chelsea. Boys Outlook: Arguably the toughest Division 2 regional features No. 3 Mason and No. 4 Richland Gull Lake. Chelsea boasts the top two individuals in August Pappas (15:33.6) and Bryce Bradley (16:00). Girls Outlook: A fairly wide open regional without any ranked teams gives Chelsea a chance to turn heads. Toward the front will be Chelsea’s Danielle Dahl, who has the seventh-best finish heading in at 19:40.

DIVISION 2 - Regional 18 (host: Woodhaven) Where: Lake Erie Metropark, Rockwood. When: Saturday. Local teams: Milan. Boys Outlook: Adrian and Dearborn Divine Child lead this regional pack. Milan’s top runners Ike Fink (16:50.2) and Nathan Anderson (17:07.9) should be with the front cluster of runners. Girls Outlook: Dearborn Divine Child will be a tough team for Milan and any team in the regional to top. The Big Reds’ leader is Grace Albers (20:51.86).

DIVISION 3 - Regional 23 (host: Vandercook Lake) Where: Ella Sharp Park, Jackson. When: Saturday. Local teams: Manchester. Boys Outlook: Manchester will have a tough time in a loaded regional, which includes No. 4 Hillsdale. Girls Outlook: No. 1-ranked Hanover-Horton, which enters with the top three individuals, and No. 6 Jackson Lumen Christi will likely vie for the title. Manchester’s Christy Weidmayer (20:11) could challenge for a top 10 finish.

DIVISION 3 - Regional 26 (host: Linden) Where: Linden High School/Middle School, Linden. When: Saturday. Local teams: Father Gabriel Richard, Whitmore Lake. Boys Outlook: Three of Division 3’s top 10 teams face off, including No. 8 Whitmore Lake. The Trojans, led by Ronnie Milbocker (16:34.4), will have their sights set on Lansing Catholic (No. 2) and Perry (No. 5). Gabriel Richard’s Josh Fons (18:12.79) brings in the Fighting Irish’s top time. Girls Outlook: Unranked Gabriel Richard and Whitmore Lake will see elite squads Leslie (No. 5), Lansing Catholic (No. 7) and Stockbridge (No. 8). The Irish and Trojans are paced by Andrea Bodary (20:16.4) and Hanna Fanson (23:13.1), respectively.

DIVISION 4 - Regional 35 (host: Huron) Where: Willow Metropark, Belleville. When: Saturday. Local team: Greenhills. Boys Outlook: Jeffrey Bord has the No. 2 time (17:29) in the field, giving Greenhills an ideal pace setter. He’ll need help if Greenhills wants to contend with favorites Dansville and Plymouth Christian Academy. Girls Outlook: Corrine Gardner of Greenhills should make a run for a top-5 individual finish. Team-wise, Lutheran Westland, which brings in four of the field’s top six times, and Whiteford will be leading the pack.

Kaleb Roedel is a sports writer for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734)623-2562 and e-mailed at kalebroedel@annarbor.com.